Why only street protest can rescue Indian cities

This is so different from the current controversy over foreign direct investment in retail. Important as external liberalisation is, the far more serious agenda is not just domestic reform but that too of the lowest, the third level of government.

The poor state of civic administration in India goes to the heart of the current malaise in governance characterised by malfunctioning state governments, in turn, seeking to dispossess the local government outfits under them.

The traditional post-Independence approach was that the central government must be strong and empowered to keep the country together and take it forward.

Why only street protest can rescue Indian cities

One, ask for institutional changes like the direct election of mayors and a mayor-in-council system of local government with a five-year term.

At present, in most city governments executive power rests with the municipal commissioner, spending power with the corporators, and ultimate power and ability to meet resource shortfalls with the state government.

Why only street protest can rescue Indian cities

The other -- and perhaps the only -- solution that can work is that people take ownership of their cities and force those in power to do the right things.

There is no knowing which way such a loosely defined process will go.

But every modern city that has rejuvenated itself, from Chicago to Barcelona, has followed this route.

In this context, what Azim Premji, the builder of Wipro, has to say is instructive.

Over the last half century, he has not only built up in Bengaluru one of India's most successful IT companies, he has also come to acquire a reputation for following the highest degree of business ethics.

Why only street protest can rescue Indian cities

But the reality is that it is only an active citizenry that moves a government in the right direction so that it is more transparent and accountable.

So nobody will give you a better local government.

You have to protest and secure it.

If there is one section that is morally culpable for the present state of India's cities, and which poses a question mark over their future growth, it is the country's disengaged middle class -- which will not just get out and agitate in a crisis, but take a daily interest in all civic matters.